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Set in the Jazz Age, The Magnificent Maggie lets you experience the joy and heartache of being a talented musician and vocalist with dreams as big as the sky. Novelist Rod McFain has done his homework. The novel is colorful and entertaining, with historical events woven into its pages. As they journey through life together, Maggie and Elliot are strong, independent characters. Maggie is a bright, strong-willed girl who wants to become a star.

Maggie and C.J. meet another couple on a cruise to Paris, where they become close friends. It is hard to put this book down because it draws you into the characters; the age, the glamor, and later, the elite of Hollywood.

This novel shows there is a price you pay for fame and the demands of Hollywood. It also takes you down a love-filled path of lovers, soulmates, and friends. It is full of new and exciting action with every turn of the page. It’s so good I will read it again. I loved it!

Linda Dawson

A captivating journey through the glamorous yet turbulent Roaring Twenties! ‘The Magnificent Maggie’ beautifully captures the essence of the era with its vibrant characters and rich historical backdrop. A must-read for fans of historical fiction!

Joseph Hernandez

You don’t usually find the main character so flawed and close to reality. Amazingly, the author added a layer of complexity to her character, and the development of both her character and CJ’s is incredible to witness.

Daniel Lee

The Magnificent Maggie delivers compelling storytelling that delves into the complexities of Maggie and C.J.’s lives, highlighting their struggles and hopes in a vivid narrative. The author’s ability to evoke the atmosphere of the stormy harbor or a tense doctor’s visit reflects a keen eye for detail, drawing readers deeper into the story.

Maggie’s passion for music and her grit add layers to her. The introduction of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda Fitzgerald injects a fascinating dynamic into the plot, adding intrigue to the unfolding storyline. The author’s storytelling prowess, smoothly blending historical elements with captivating drama, keeps readers eagerly turning the pages.

Dave France

Initially, I found the book slightly confusing and Maggie’s character as definitive and simple. However, the more I read, the more I realized how intricate her personality is and how it gradually develops throughout the book. Absolutely amazing.

Benjamin Gonzalez

A delightful romp through the Jazz Age with Maggie as your spirited guide! ‘The Magnificent Maggie’ is both entertaining and thought-provoking, offering a fresh perspective on the challenges faced by women in the 1920s.

Abigail Taylor

The writer takes one back to a time in the Roaring Twenties that includes Prohibition, flappers, and a time when women didn’t have the right to vote and many other privileges women take for granted today.

Maggie, the main character, is multi-talented, beautiful, uninhibited, and appears to be able to fly into stardom on many levels. She and her husband, CJ, are quite affluent, so they can go wherever they desire, be it Paris, The Riviera, or Italy. It’s fun to see them frolicking with friends Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, Picasso, Greta Garbo. Despite all of Maggie’s success, she is troubled and unhappy. It was concerning whether she and CJ could make it together.

The writer’s attention to detail, the food they ate, the clothing they wore made the reader feel like they were in the same room as the characters. Read this book and be prepared to take a delightful journey into a time filled with opportunity and danger!

Teri Rayl Murphy

Maggie’s journey from small-town girl to Jazz Age sensation is a rollercoaster ride of emotions! ‘The Magnificent Maggie’ is a beautifully written novel that explores themes of love, ambition, and the pursuit of happiness.

Noah Jones

I couldn’t put ‘The Magnificent Maggie’ down! The protagonist, Maggie, is a fierce and compelling character who defies societal norms with her wit and courage. A delightful read that transports you to the dazzling world of the Jazz Age.

Evelyn Young

Bravo to the author for bringing Maggie O’Sullivan to life in such a vivid and authentic manner! ‘The Magnificent Maggie’ is a triumph of storytelling, weaving together romance, adventure, and social commentary seamlessly.

Grace Scott

Maggie’s journey from small-town girl to Jazz Age icon is both exhilarating and heartbreaking. ‘The Magnificent Maggie’ is a captivating read that will stay with you long after you turn the final page.

Madison Barnes

HARD GOODBYES review in The Western Writers of America magazine Roundup. The review as written by Harlan Hague, best-selling author of THE SUNSET RIM, IF I SHOULD DIE, THE PEOPLE, BUTTERFLY’S CHILD, LEAVING AH-wah-nee, A PLACE FOR MEI LIN, IF I SHOULD LEAVE YOU, and other novels.

I just finished all three books in the trilogy: Hard Goodbyes, Crossing the Crazy Woman, and Pursuit. Rod’s extensive research into the American west and period gives an accurate portrayal of the harshness of life in the rugged terrain. Rod vicariously sent me back in time as I read about the hostile western environment from the comfort of my home. As I neared the end of each book, I deliberately slowed to make the story last a little bit longer. I am going to miss Gray Wehr and Annie. But I am looking forward to Rod’s next book to learn more about living in the 1920s!

Fly By Night

“The Magnificent Maggie” brims with spirited exchanges, showcasing Maggie’s unwavering determination and independence. Despite her father’s disapproval and challenging attitude, Maggie’s fiery resolve to chart her path and defy societal expectations shines through. The story navigates themes of familial tension, personal identity, and celebration, a lively graduation party filled with music, laughter, and illicit revelry. The author paints a vibrant portrait of Maggie’s world through witty dialogue and engaging scenes, inviting readers to root for her self-discovery and defiance against societal constraints. The author crafts compelling characters and weaves an immersive narrative that keeps readers eagerly turning the pages.

Anne McAdams

She’s Got It is such a compelling tribute to Clara Bow—a woman who defined an era, lit up the silent screen, and paid dearly for it. Her story is cinematic in the truest sense: grit, glamour, heartbreak…and haunting relevance today.

Ruth Harris

The Magnificent Maggie and She's Got It are written by a local author in my small Idaho mountain town, BUT they are incredible. I fell in love with Maggie and just finished diving into the life of Clara Bow.

Both books take place in the flapper era and bring the wild and often raucous behavior of women, their husbands, and friends to life. I HIGHLY recommend both books if the world of silent movies, flappers, the Roaring 20s, and speakeasies are your thing. The dark side of Hollywood and living a life of glamour are exposed for what they truly were. I was fully immersed in both books and hope some of you read them, so I have people to discuss Maggie & Clara with!

Samantha Turnbull

She’s Got It is such a wonderful journey into the wild of Old Hollywood. With its brilliant cast of characters, highlighting the beloved It Girl, Clara Bow. This book embraces the amazing layers and depths of a young Woman’s life story, in a time of extremes, from excruciating poverty to the indulgences of a Hollywood Babylon. This book captivated me; I didn’t want to put it down…I didn’t want to leave Clara’s side.

Ann McNiff Stevens

I just fell in love with Clara Bow.

Bill James

SHE’S GOT IT charts the tumultuous life of Clara Bow, a quintessential figure of Hollywood's Silent and Golden Ages, from her impoverished beginnings to her rise as an iconic actress and decline into personal turmoil. It explores themes of fame, resilience in the face of adversity, and the cost of success in early Hollywood.

The story centers around "the price of fame," showing both its allure and destructive capabilities. It takes you through Clara Bow’s rapid ascent within Hollywood, contrasting it with the lies and scandals that ultimately led to her departure. Author Rod McFain also uses subtler manifestations to weave his story, including moments reflecting on lost innocence or simpler times before stardom complicated relationships.

Linda Dawson

As Clara Bow’s world grows more dazzling and more perilous in She’s Got It, Rod McFain does not shy from the darkness: the betrayals by those closest to her, the relentless pressure to perform, and the ultimate toll exacted on her sense of self. Yet, amidst the chaos, Clara stays resilient—a quiet defiance, a hope that somewhere beneath the glitter and scandal, an authentic caring might yet endure. In the end, SHE’S GOT IT is both a celebration and an elegy, chronicling not only the meteoric rise and fall of an icon but also the universal longing for belonging and the bittersweet cost of chasing the light.

Karen Rice

Clara Bow has long been one of my favorite stars, from early "pictures." I loved IT, Wings, and Call Her Savage. I was so excited to see a novel come out about her. And more excited when the author treated her with respect.

Jane East

In She’s Got It, Rod McFain deftly weaves in moments of aching nostalgia, where Clara Bow recalls the innocence of her Brooklyn childhood—those fleeting memories of laughter and joy, before the city of dreams imposed its cost. These reflective interludes offer a poignant counterpoint to the relentless pace of her Hollywood ascent, illuminating the subtle fractures in trust and intimacy that fame inflicts.

Dru Cunningham

At the heart of this novel lies a duality that seduces with dreams of glamour yet shadows each step with the threat of personal unraveling. The story traces Clara Bow’s electric rise—her raw talent capturing the imaginations of millions, even as gossip columns and public scrutiny nip relentlessly at her heels. Through vivid scenes of red-carpet triumphs and behind-the-scenes betrayals, the book exposes the machinery of Hollywood: adulation is quick to turn to suspicion, and the same spotlight that elevates can just as easily burn.

Lynn Bennett

It was a really good western that made you feel as if you were watching a movie. Took us into the 1800’s! Good book to read, it has everything a western might have. We loved it.

Kathy and Ken Weter

I recently met Rod and he proudly shared the trailer for Hard Goodbyes. I was hooked! I started reading it as soon as I got home and struggled to put it down. So vividly written, you are taken on a speeding rollercoaster of loss, love, hope, fear and unrelenting determination to survive against all odds. A fantastically written story that leaves you wanting more. Read this book, you will be very happy you did!

Tanja Ferguson

Saturday mornings were wonderful–filled with The Lone Ranger, Gunsmoke, Wyatt Earp, and Wild Bill Hickok. They were strong heroes who defended the helpless and sent the villains out of town or to Boothill. There were also females in the shows….they were usually victims…innocent (or perhaps naughty), and each knew her realm, either the merchantile or the cafe or, like Miss Kitty, the saloon. Hard Goodbyes gives a fresh perspective. Ally was handed a hard reality in a rugged territory. She probably would have preferred bonnets over bandits or a carriage over cattle. However, she did not shrink from the hard stuff; instead, she stood her ground, handling her horse like Dale Evans and driving cattle. Hard Goodbyes is a new genre in Westerns that shows strong women pushing themselves beyond their limits and saying goodbye without dying inside. It would make a great Saturday morning western!

onthecamimo

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This is an excellent look into the life of Clara Bow, America’s “It Girl” from the days of silent movies, and into the lives of Hollywood’s early stars and starlets. While partially fictional, this book mostly describes real people and events from the movie industry. It covers the ups, the downs, and the meteoric rise and fall of actors and actresses, especially the lovely yet tragic Clara Bow.

I learned a lot about the glory days of Hollywood from reading this book. I must say that, for the first time in my life, I understand how Marilyn Monroe could have actually been motivated to take her own life. I also learned, or was reminded, of the damaging role the press plays in the lives of famous people.

I thoroughly enjoyed “She’s Got It”!

Ed Goodin